Termite repellent and word protector

ABSTRACT

Pesticidal compositions containing cold pressed orange oil with high concentration D-Limonene and acrylic lacquer for protective repellents against termite infestation and termiticides for the control of termites are provided. Wood preservative and protective compositions for repelling and killing wood boring insects are provided. In addition, the invention is directed to methods for repelling and killing termites by applying a pesticidally-effective amount of the above pesticidal compositions to cellulosic materials where pest control is desired.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/727,299, filed Sep. 5, 2018, the full disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to compositions to treat wood. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to compositions and methodsfor treating wood to control insects and more particularly, killtermites, while deterring and preventing termite infestations.

Description of the Related Art

A pest is an organism which is detrimental to humans or human concerns.Pests include insects, plant pathogens, weeds, molluscs, birds, mammals,fish, nematodes (round-worms) and microbes.

Typically, pests are classified into insects, mites, nema-todes andgastropods. Pesticides are substances or mixture of substances intendedfor preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest. Apesticide may be a chemical agent, a biological agent (such as a virusor bacterium), an anti-microbial, a disinfectant or a device usedagainst any pest.

Pesticides are categorized into four main substituent chemicals:herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and bacteri-cides. Pesticides canbe classified by target organism, chemical structure and physical state.Pesticides can also be classed as inorganic, synthetic, or biological(bio-pesticide). Bio-pesticides include microbial pesticides andbiochemical pesticides. These include pyrethroids, rotenoids andnicoti-noids. Pesticides can also be classified based upon theirbiological mechanism function or application method. Most pesticideswork by poisoning the pests.

An insecticide is a pesticide used against insects. They includeovicides and larvicides, used against the eggs and larvae of insectsrespectively. Insecticides are classified in several different ways.Typically, they are classified as systemic insecticides, contactinsecticides, natural insecti-cides, plant-incorporated protectants(PIPS), inorganic insecticides and organic insecticides. The commonlyknown insecticides include: i) organochlorides such as DDT, aldrin,chlordane, chlordecone, heptachlor, methoxychlor, pen-tachlorophenol andthe like; ii) organophosphates such as acephate, azinphos-methyl,bensulide, chlorethoxyfos, chlo-rpyrifos, diazinon, dimethoate,disulfoton, ethoprop, fenamiphos, parathion, trichlorfon and the like;iii) pyrethroids such as allethrin, bifenthrin, cyhalothrin,lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, cyfluthrin, prallethrin,transflu-thrin and the like, iv) carbamates such as aldicarb,bendiocarb, carbofuran, carbaryl, dioxacarb, fenobucarb, fenoxycarb,isoprocarb, methomyl and the like.

Commercially available insecticides, including those available for homeuse, commonly comprise active ingredients or poisons which are not onlytoxic to the target insect pests, but, if used in relatively confinedenvironments and delivered as aerosol sprays, can be present insufficient concentration to also be toxic to humans and household pets.Various undesirable side effects may include immediate or delayedneurotoxic reactions, and/or suffocation. Even the noxious odor of suchmaterials can cause headaches or upset stomachs in some individuals.These adverse side effects are exacerbated when such compositions comein contact with persons of increased sensitivity, or persons of smallbody mass such as children or babies.

For some time, efforts have been made to develop insecticidalcompositions, particularly those intended for residential use, which areeffective in killing the targeted insect pests completely and quickly,but non-toxic to humans and pets. The Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) regulates the use of potentially toxic ingre-dients in pesticidalcompositions under the Federal Insecti-cide, Fungicide and RodenticideAct (FIFRA). Certain mate-rials considered to be either active or inertmaterials by the EPA have been deregulated or otherwise identified asaccept-able safe substances under FIFRA offering minimum risk in normaluse. Other materials are currently undergoing inves-tigation and may bederegulated in due course. Consumers generally consider deregulatedsubstances non-poisonous or non-toxic. Thus, the term non-toxic ornon-poisonous as used herein is intended to convey a compound orcomposition that, while highly effective in killing targeted insectpests, is safe to use around humans, particularly small children, andpets.

The search for a new repellent or termiticide is difficult becausestudies have shown that termites show unexpected sensitivity tochemicals, sensitivity that differs from that of other insects. Forexample, phenoxyethanol has been shown to be a trail-followingsubstance; and naphthalene, a toxicant for most insects, was found to beused as fumigant by termites for their nests at concentrations thatwould kill fire ants, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,097. That andother conventional compositions are disclosed in the following U.S.patents and U.S. patent application Publications, which are incorporatedherein by reference:

U.S. Pat. No. Inventor 8,747,908 Leach, et. al. 9,775,350 Zhang, et. al.9,999,218 Manhas, et. al. 9,999,227 Manhas, et. al.

The following U.S. Publication Nos. are incorporated herein byreference:

U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. Inventor 2003/0104135 Grantham, et. al.2005/0217537 Knipe 2006/0134040 Glassel, et. al. 2006/0147632 Zhang, et.al. 2010/0144888 Bessette 2012/0121809 Vuozzo 2014/0220164 Manhas, et.al. 2017/0360042 Zhang, et. al.

While such conventional compositions and methods may be partly suitablefor the particular purpose employed, they would not be as suitable forthe purposes of the present invention as disclosed herein.

Accordingly, there is a need for simple, environmentally friendly,non-toxic compositions and methods that can efficiently and effectivelytreat wood to control insects and more particularly, to repel termites,kill termites, and/or prevent or mitigate termite infestations.

As disclosed in this application, the inventors have discovered noveland unique compositions and methods for efficient and effective woodtreatment to control insects and more particularly to repel termitesfrom wood, exterminate termites, as well as deter, prevent and/ormitigate termite infestations, which exhibit superlative propertieswithout being dependent on highly toxic, expensive or complexcomponents.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for compositions andmethods disclosed herein and as defined in the annexed claims whichprovide for improved wood treatment features in order to efficiently,simply, and effectively serve as insect control and more particularly,as a termite infestation deterrent, preventer, and/or exterminator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one prospect of the present invention to provide one or more novelcompositions and methods of simple but effective formulation which canbe applied to many environments to efficiently and effectively controlinsects, and in particular exterminate, deter, prevent and/or mitigatetermite infestations.

The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure ina simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that ispresented herein.

Therefore, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, there isprovided a composition for a protective barrier against termiteinfestation, said barrier composition comprising an effective amount ofacrylic lacquer and cold pressed orange oil, wherein said cold pressedorange oil has a D-Limonene concentration of at least 80%, and aconstruction wood, wherein said construction wood without said acryliclacquer and cold pressed orange oil composition is susceptible totermite infestation, wherein said composition is free of formaldehydeand wherein the treated construction wood repels or kills termitessubstantially more than does an otherwise identical construction woodthat has not been treated with the compound.

The composition preferably includes cold pressed orange oil having aD-Limonene concentration of at least 90%. More preferably, thecomposition includes cold pressed orange oil having a D-Limoneneconcentration of at least 95%.

In another embodiment, the composition has an acrylic lacquer includinga mixture of a modified acrylic emulsion copolymer component, adipropylene methyl ether component, a polysiloxane polymer component, anamine solution component, and a water component.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a method for protecting a material from termite infestation.The method includes treating the material with a composition comprisingan effective amount of D-Limonene, wherein the composition is free offormaldehyde, wherein the material without said treatment is susceptibleto termite infestation, and wherein the treated material repels or killstermites substantially more than does an otherwise identical materialthat has not been treated with the D-Limonene. In embodiments disclosedherein, the treated material repels termites, and in furtherembodiments, the treated material kills termites.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, there is provided acomposition to control insects consisting of 25% by weight of coldpressed orange oil containing a D-Limonene concentration of at least 80%and 75% by weight of an acrylic lacquer.

In yet another embodiment, an insect control composition is providedhaving: 5%-35% by weight cold pressed orange oil containing aconcentration of at least 80% D-Limonene; 20%-50% by weight modifiedacrylic emulsion copolymer; 1%-10% by weight dipropylene glycol methylether; 1%-5% by weight polysiloxane polymer; 1%-5% by weight aminesolution; and 20%-60% by weight water. Preferably, the cold pressedorange oil comprises a D-Limonene concentration of at least 90%. Morepreferably, the cold pressed orange oil of the insect controlcomposition has a D-Limonene concentration of at least 95%.

In one embodiment, the insect control composition also includes at leastone food grade preservative in a range of approximately 0.1%-1% byweight. Preferably, the at least one food grade preservative is sodiumbenzoate.

In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed insect control compositionincludes pure boric acid in powder form in a range of 1%-30% by weight.Surprisingly, the insect control composition includes pure boric acidpowder in a range of 1%-30% by weight, and the composition containingthe pure boric acid has a lower viscosity than said composition withoutpure boric acid powder, through embodiments of the invention.

In another embodiment, insect control composition includes pure boricacid in liquid form in a range of 1%-30% by weight.

In accordance with additional embodiments of the invention, an insectcontrol composition is presented. The insect control compositionpreferably includes 5%-30% by weight of D-Limonene, 1%-20% by weightcold pressed castor oil as a non-toxic emulsifying agent, 20%-50% byweight modified acrylic emulsion copolymer, 1%-10% by weight dipropyleneglycol methyl ether, 1%-5% by weight polysiloxane polymer, 1%-5% byweight amine solution, and 20%-60% by weight water.

In one embodiment the insect control composition further includes atleast one food grade preservative in a range of approximately 0.1%-1% byweight. In another embodiment, the insect control composition furtherincludes pure boric acid in a range of 1%-30% by weight.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, atermite repellent wood preservative lacquer is provided. The termiterepellent wood preservative lacquer preferably includes 20%-35% byweight of cold pressed orange oil containing a D-Limonene concentrationof at least 80%, 5%-15% by weight of water, 45%-55% by weight ofmodified acrylic emulsion copolymer, 3%-9% by weight of dipropyleneglycol methyl ether, 1%-5% by weight of polysiloxane polymer, and 2%-8%by weight of amine solution.

In one embodiment, the termite repellent wood preservative lacquerfurther includes 0.5%-2% by weight of terpene hydrocarbons, and 0.5%-1%by weight of oxygenated terpenes.

In another embodiment, the cold pressed orange oil comprises aD-Limonene concentration of at least 90%.

In yet another embodiment, the cold pressed orange oil comprises aD-Limonene concentration of at least 95%.

In one embodiment the termite repellent wood preservative lacquerfurther includes pure boric acid in a range of 1%-30% by weight.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention a termite resistant woodpreservative composition for treating lumber products to control insectsis presented. The termite resistant wood preservative composition fortreating lumber products to control insects consists of 25% by weight ofcold pressed orange oil having a concentration of at least 80%D-Limonene and 75% by weight of an acrylic lacquer.

In one embodiment, the 25% by weight cold pressed orange oil contains aD-Limonene concentration of at least 90%.

In another embodiment the 25% by weight cold pressed orange oil containsa D-Limonene concentration of at least 95%.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention there is provided amethod for repelling and killing termites, which includes applying to awooden material where control of termites is desired, apesticidally-effective amount of a composition comprising an activeingredient and a pesticidally-acceptable carrier, wherein the activeingredient is cold pressed orange oil containing a D-Limoneneconcentration of at least 80%, wherein the pesticidally-acceptablecarrier is an acrylic lacquer.

In one embodiment, the cold pressed orange oil contains a D-Limoneneconcentration of at least 90%

In another embodiment, the cold pressed orange oil contains a D-Limoneneconcentration of at least 95%.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention there is provided amethod for protecting cellulosic materials from termite infestationcomprising a step of applying to the cellulosic material a solutioncomprising an effective amount of cold pressed orange oil containing aD-Limonene concentration of at least 80%.

In one embodiment, the method further includes a step of drying thecellulosic material in a dryer adapted for lumber and a step of applyingto the cellulosic material a composition comprising approximately 25% byweight a cold pressed orange oil component having a concentration of atleast 80% D-Limonene, and said composition comprising approximately 75%by weight an acrylic lacquer component, said acrylic lacquer componentcomprising approximately 45% by weight modified acrylic emulsioncopolymer, at least 40% by weight water, at least 5% by weightdipropylene glycol methyl ether, at least less than 5% by weightpolysiloxane polymer, and at least less than 5% by weight aminesolution.

In another embodiment, the solution is applied to the cellulosicmaterial by spraying.

In yet another embodiment, the solution is applied by dipping thecellulosic material into the solution.

In another embodiment, the solution is applied to the cellulosicmaterial by a pressure treatment process.

In one embodiment, the cellulosic material is selected from the groupconsisting of green lumber, dried lumber, and pressure treated lumber.

In another embodiment, the cellulosic products further define cellulosicproducts selected from the group consisting of green lumber, driedlumber, pressure treated lumber, seeds, grains, legumes, fruits,vegetables, and plants.

In yet another embodiment, the cellulosic material is wood and saidprocess further includes applying an additional wood preservative.

In one embodiment, the cellulosic material is wood and said processfurther includes applying an additional wood preservative selected fromthe group consisting of ACQ, Borates, Copper azole, Copper naphthenate,Copper-HDO (Bis-(Ncyclohexyldiazeniumdioxy-copper)) and Polymericbetaine.

In a preferred embodiment, a composition for repelling termites andprotecting wood is present. The preferred composition includesapproximately 25% by weight cold pressed orange oil component, having aconcentration of at least 90% D-Limonene, and approximately 75% byweight acrylic lacquer component, with the acrylic lacquer componentcomprising approximately 45% by weight modified acrylic emulsioncopolymer, at least 40% by weight water, at least 5% by weightdipropylene glycol methyl ether, at least less than 5% by weightpolysiloxane polymer, and at least less than 5% by weight aminesolution.

In one embodiment, a composition for repelling termites and protectingwood is present. The preferred composition includes approximately 25% byweight cold pressed orange oil component, having a concentration of atleast 80% D-Limonene, and approximately 75% by weight acrylic lacquercomponent, with the acrylic lacquer component comprising modifiedacrylic emulsion copolymer in a range of approximately 45%-50% byweight, water in a range of 40%-45% by weight, dipropylene glycol methylether in a range of 5%-10% by weight, polysiloxane polymer in a range of1%-5% by weight, and amine solution in a range of 1%-5% by weight.

In another embodiment, the composition includes an acrylic lacquerhaving a mixture of a non-toxic emulsifying agent component, a modifiedacrylic emulsion copolymer component, a dipropylene methyl ethercomponent, a polysiloxane polymer component, an amine solutioncomponent, and a water component.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method for protecting amaterial from termite infestation is provided. Preferably, the methodincludes treating the material with a composition comprising aneffective amount of a composition of acrylic lacquer and cold pressedorange oil having a D-Limonene concentration of at least 80%, whereinthe composition is free of formaldehyde, wherein said material withoutsaid treatment is susceptible to termite infestation, and wherein thetreated material repels or kills termites substantially more than doesan otherwise identical material that has not been treated with thecomposition. As disclosed herein, the treated material repels termites.Moreover, as further disclosed herein, the treated material killstermites.

Therefore, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, there isprovided a composition, preferably comprising about approximately 25%cold pressed orange oil having a D-Limonene concentration of at least80%, and approximately 75% acrylic lacquer.

In one preferred embodiment, there is provided a composition to controlinsects, such as termite infestations, where the composition comprises amixture component having 80%-96% by weight of D-Limonene and 4%-20% byweight of a non-toxic emulsifying agent, such as, for example, Alkamuls®EL-620 castor oil. In such embodiment, the composition further comprisesan acrylic lacquer component comprising approximately 20% to 40% byweight of modified acrylic emulsion copolymer, approximately 1% to 10%by weight of dipropylene glycol methyl ether, 1% to 5% by weight ofPolysiloxane Polymer, 1% to 5% by weight of Amine solution, andapproximately 20% to 60% by weight of water. The composition preferablyfurther includes, but does not require, at least one food-gradepreservative, such as, for example, sodium benzoate in a range ofapproximately 0.1% to 1% by weight.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is providedanother preferred composition to control insects, such as termites,comprising approximately 10% to approximately 30% by weight ofD-Limonene, approximately 1% to approximately 20% by weight of anon-toxic emulsifying agent, such as, for example, Alkamuls® EL 620castor oil, approximately 20% to 60% by weight of modified acrylicemulsion copolymer, approximately 1% to 10% by weight of dipropyleneglycol methyl ether, 1% to 5% by weight of Polysiloxane Polymer, 1% to5% by weight of Amine solution, and approximately 10% to 30% by weightof water. The composition preferably further includes, but does notrequire, at least one food-grade preservative, such as, for example,sodium benzoate in a range of approximately 0.1% to 1% by weight.

In one embodiment, the composition preferably further includes 1% to 5%by weight of terpene hydrocarbons and 1% to 5% by weight of oxygenatedterpenes.

In a preferred embodiment, a composition is provided comprising a 25% byweight cold pressed orange oil solution and 75% by weight acrylicLacquer solution, which includes approximately 20% by weight ofD-Limonene, approximately 2% by weight of Terpene Hydrocarbons,approximately 1% by weight of Oxygenated Terpenes, approximately 3% byweight of cold pressed Castor Oil, approximately 10% by weight of water,approximately 50% by weight of modified acrylic emulsion copolymer,approximately 6% by weight of dipropylene glycol methyl ether,approximately 3% by weight of polysiloxane polymer, and approximately 5%by weight of amine solution.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided apreferred method of treating wood in interior and exterior settings withan insect repelling composition. In such embodiment, before applying theinsect repelling composition to wood, a user should mix the compositionthoroughly, preferably by gently stirring the composition, or by rollinga container housing said composition, in an effort to avoid air bubbles.Preferably, the composition should be stirred thoroughly forapproximately 20 minutes prior to application. The preferred methodcomprises applying said insect control composition to at least one woodsurface by painting said composition onto the at least one wood surface,for example, with a quality nylon brush or a pad applicator. In suchpreferred embodiment, the user uses the brush or pad to apply liberalcoats of the composition to the at least one wood surface, whileavoiding over brushing and keeping the brush or pad saturated with thecomposition. The user applies a first coat of the composition to the atleast one wood surface to a point of surface saturation. Preferably, themethod includes waiting approximately 6-24 hours to allow thecomposition of the first coat to completely dry. Once the compositionapplied to the at least one wood surface is completely dry, the userapplies a second coat of the composition to the at least one woodsurface to a point of surface saturation. Preferably, the method furtherincludes waiting an additional approximately 6-24 hours to allow thecomposition of the second coat to completely dry.

In another preferred embodiment, there is provided a method of treatingwood in interior and exterior settings with an insect repellingcomposition. In such preferred embodiment, before applying thecomposition to wood, a user should mix the composition thoroughly bygently stirring or rolling a container housing said composition to avoidair bubbles. Preferably, the composition should be stirred thoroughlyapproximately every 20 minutes prior to application. The preferredmethod comprises applying said insect control composition to at leastone wood surface by spraying the composition onto said wood surface withan unheated spray applicator. The user applies a first coat of thecomposition to the at least one wood surface to a point of surfacesaturation. The method includes waiting approximately 6-24 hours toallow the composition of the first coat to completely dry. Once thecomposition applied to the at least one wood surface is completely dry,the user applies a second coat of the composition to the at least onewood surface to a point of surface saturation. The method preferablyfurther includes waiting an additional approximately 6-24 hours to allowthe composition of the second coat to completely dry.

In yet another preferred embodiment, there is provided a method ofpre-treating wood in interior and exterior settings with an insectrepelling composition. In such preferred embodiment, before pre-treatingthe wood with the composition, a user should mix the compositionthoroughly by gently stirring or rolling a container housing saidcomposition to avoid air bubbles. In such preferred embodiment, themethod includes applying a first coat of the insect repellingcomposition to pretreat a piece of wood by soaking the piece of woodwith said insect repelling composition to a point of wood saturation. Auser pre-treating the piece of wood removes the piece of wood at thepoint of wood saturation from the container housing the composition. Themethod includes allowing the piece of wood at the point of woodsaturation with the composition to dry for approximately 8-24 hoursbefore handling the piece of wood.

In one embodiment, the method further includes applying a second coat ofthe insect repelling composition to the piece of wood after the piece ofwood at the point of wood saturation with the composition has dried forapproximately 8-24 hours by soaking said piece of wood in thecomposition to the point of wood saturation and allowing the piece ofwood to dry for an additional approximately 8-24 hours before handlingsaid piece of wood.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described hereinwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numeralsthroughout the figures identify substantially similar components, inwhich:

FIG. 1. is a photograph showing a series of untreated wood blocks whichwere used as testing controls to evaluate the compositions of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2. is a photograph showing a series of wood blocks treated withexemplary compositions described herein in accordance with embodimentsof the invention to evaluate the effectiveness of such compositions;

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing a series of wood blocks treated withexemplary compositions described herein in accordance with embodimentsof the invention to evaluate the effectiveness of such compositions;

FIG. 4 is a photograph showing a series of sets of untreated wood blocksand treated wood blocks treated with compositions described herein inaccordance with embodiments of the invention, to evaluate and comparethe effectiveness of such compositions;

FIG. 5 is a photograph showing a series of untreated wood blocks whichwere used as testing controls to evaluate the compositions of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a photograph showing a series of wood blocks treated withexemplary compositions described herein in accordance with embodimentsof the invention to evaluate the effectiveness of such compositions;

FIG. 7 is a photograph showing a series of wood blocks treated withexemplary compositions described herein in accordance with embodimentsof the invention to evaluate the effectiveness of such compositions;

FIG. 8 is a photograph showing a series of wood blocks treated withconventional compositions, for comparison to exemplary compositionsdescribed herein in accordance with embodiments of the invention, toevaluate and compare the effectiveness of such respective compositions;

FIG. 9 is a photograph showing a series of wood blocks treated withexemplary compositions described herein in accordance with embodimentsof the invention to evaluate the effectiveness of such compositions; and

FIG. 10 a photograph showing a series of sets of wood blocks treatedwith conventional compositions and wood blocks treated with compositionsdescribed herein in accordance with embodiments of the invention, toevaluate and compare the effectiveness of such respective compositions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a further understanding of the nature and function of theembodiments, reference should be made to the following detaileddescription. Detailed descriptions of the embodiments are providedherein, as well as, the best mode of carrying out and employing thepresent invention. It will be readily appreciated that the embodimentsare well adapted to carry out and obtain the ends and features mentionedas well as those inherent herein. It is to be understood, however, thatthe present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore,persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the followingdisclosure is illustrative only and not in any way limiting, as thespecific details disclosed herein provide a basis for the claims and arepresentative basis for teaching to employ the present invention invirtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. Itshould be understood that the devices, materials, methods, procedures,and techniques described herein are presently representative of variousembodiments. Other embodiments of the disclosure will readily suggestthemselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

The advantages and significant benefits of the present invention includehigh solids, more film build, better flow, higher luster, when comparedto conventional lacquers in performance without the toxicity. Thepresent invention can be safely used by chemically sensitive users andhas a mild odor content similar to citrus scent. The present inventionfights indoor air pollution by sealing in off gassing and containing avery low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, which meets or exceedsall federal and state air quality regulations, including California's.Unlike many commercially available products the composition of thepresent invention contains no formaldehyde. The evaporation rate of thecompositions of the present invention are slower than ether and have avapor density that is heavier than air.

Therefore, in accordance with preferred embodiments of the inventionthere are provided insect repelling compositions of non-toxic woodpreservatives that can be applied directly to the wood of a home'sinterior or exterior that are safe for pets and humans. The insectrepelling compositions are able to deter, kill, and/or prevent insectsfrom accessing wood which may serve as a food source for insects thatcome into contact with these compositions. According to inventors'research, the termite species termites subterranean excretes an alarmpheromone when exposed to a compound sourced from citrus fruit peelsknown as D-Limonene (C₁₀H₁₆). The d-isomer of limonene, a monoterpeneand cycloalkene, occurs commonly in nature as the fragrance of oranges.The alarm pheromone excretion of termites is a natural defense mechanismof termites subterranean. Accordingly, when subterranean soldiertermites detect danger in a location, these termites excrete the alarmpheromone to warn other termites of the danger, thereby, directing theother termites to avoid that location. When wood is treated withD-Limonene, the compound creates a zone of danger or discomfortperceived by wood boring insects, signifying to these insects that thezone is not inherently safe. The compositions of the present inventionare believed to have long lasting effects, which deter and/or killinsects that come into contact with it, affecting a wide range of woodboring and eating insects, including termites, carpenter ants, andcarpenter bees. The compositions of the present invention cause termitedeath, which result from destruction of the digestive and respiratorysystems of termites. These compositions of the present invention areeffective for many years and also assist with sealing outgassing.

Therefore, in accordance with embodiments of the invention there isprovided a non-toxic insect control composition for treatment of a woodsurface in interior and exterior settings. The composition of thepresent invention is preferably a clear, hard and durable, water-basedacrylic compound. The composition includes D-Limonene, in a range of atleast 5% to approximately 30% by weight, a non-toxic emulsifying agent,in a range of at least 1% to approximately 20% by weight, water in arange of at least 20% by weight to approximately 60% by weight of water,a modified acrylic emulsion copolymer in a range of at least 20% byweight to approximately 45% by weight, dipropylene glycol methyl etherin a range of at least 1% by weight to approximately 10% by weight,Polysiloxane Polymer in a range of at least 1% by weight toapproximately 5% by weight, and an Amine solution in a range of at least1% by weight to approximately 5% by weight. The D-Limonene can bederived from a variety of citrus fruits and other plants and iscommercially available under the name Cold Pressed Orange Oil, forexample. The non-toxic emulsifying agent can be, for example, Alkamuls®EL620. The composition preferably includes each of the aboveingredients, though including the D-Limonene is highly preferred.D-Limonene, otherwise known as orange limonene or 1-methyl-4-(1methylethenyl) cyclohexene, or 4-isopropenyl-1-methyl cyclohexene, has achemical formula of C₁₀H₁₆, a molecular weight of 136.2, and contains88.1% C and 11.8% H by weight. It occurs in various ethereal oils,particularly in oils of lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit and bergamot.D-Limonene can be cold pressed from citrus peels or obtained from steamextraction of citrus peels of, for example, orange, lemon, grapefruit,lime, and bergamot. Some extractions from citrus peels contain as highas 95% D-Limonene. Distillation of the oils produces technical grades ofD-Limonene of higher purity from approximately 95% to approximately 96%.

In one embodiment, the non-toxic insect control composition preferablyincludes at least one food-grade preservative, such as sodium benzoatein a range of at least 0.1% to approximately 1% by weight.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a composition isprovided comprising approximately 25% by weight cold pressed orange oilcomponent, having a concentration of at least 90% D-Limonene, andapproximately 75% by weight acrylic lacquer component, with the acryliclacquer component comprising approximately 45% by weight modifiedacrylic emulsion copolymer, at least 40% by weight water, at least 5% byweight dipropylene glycol methyl ether, at least less than 5% by weightpolysiloxane polymer, and at least less than 5% by weight aminesolution.

The modified acrylic emulsion copolymer, dipropylene glycol methylether, polysiloxane, amine solution and water are mixed first, thenAlkamuls® El-620, water, and D-Limonene are mixed next. Once mixed, thecomposition remains homogenous for at least 180 days. When separationoccurs, simple stirring is sufficient to cause the composition to becomehomogenous again. The D-Limonene is sourced from, for example, coldpressed orange oil preferably containing over 95% D-Limoneneconcentration, which is sold, for example, under the brand Medina®. Themodified acrylic emulsion copolymer is sold, for example, under thebrands Gellner Industrial, Golden Artist Colors®, and Holbein®. Thedipropylene glycol methyl ether is sold, for example, under the brandsQuality Chemical™, TCI America, DOW Chemical Company. The polysiloxanepolymer is sold, for example, under the brands Golden Artist Colors®,Holbein®, Haisun®. The amine solution is sold, for example, by AmineSolutions Inc., Grainger Inc., Salt-X®. The 25% and 75% solutions of thecomposition can be applied to unpainted raw wood. In such embodiments ofthe invention, the composition dries completely in approximately 4 hoursin dry environments and a second coat is then applied. Once the secondcoat dries the painted wood retains the aromatic citrus smell for atleast 6 months.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes acomposition having 30% Cold Pressed Orange Oil and 70% Acrylic Lacquersolutions. In such exemplary embodiment, the Cold Pressed Orange Oilcomponent of the composition includes at least 80% by weight ofD-Limonene, sold, for example, under the Home & Garden® brand from GreenGobbler™ Company. In such embodiment, the Acrylic Lacquer componentincludes at least 10% by weight of water; at least 50% by weight ofmodified acrylic emulsion copolymer, sold, for example, under the brandsGellner Industrial, Golden Artist Colors®, and Holbein®, at least 6% byweight of dipropylene glycol methyl ether, sold, for example, under thebrands Quality Chemical™, TCI America, DOW Chemical Company, at least 3%by weight of polysiloxane polymer, sold, for example, under the brandsGolden Artist Colors®, Holbein®, Haisun®, and at least 5% by weight ofamine solution, sold, for example, by Amine Solutions Inc., GraingerInc., Salt-X®. The modified acrylic emulsion copolymer, dipropyleneglycol methyl ether, polysiloxane, amine solution and water are mixedfirst, then Alkamuls® El 620, water, and D-Limonene are mixed. Oncemixed, the composition remains homogenous for at least 180 days. Whenseparation occurs, simple stirring is sufficient to cause thecomposition to become homogenous again.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a compositionincludes 30% and 50% solutions. The 30% solution of the compositionincludes approximately 4% by weight of D-Limonene, approximately 3% byweight of Alkamuls® El 620, known as cold pressed Castor Oil,approximately 20% by weight of water, approximately 60% by weight ofmodified acrylic emulsion copolymer, approximately 4% by weight ofdipropylene glycol methyl ether, approximately 4% by weight ofpolysiloxane polymer, and approximately 5% by weight of amine solution.

In such exemplary embodiment, the modified acrylic emulsion copolymer,dipropylene glycol methyl ether, polysiloxane, amine solution and waterare mixed first, then Alkamuls® El 620, water, and D-Limonene are mixed.Once mixed, the composition remains homogenous for at least 30 days.When separation occurs, simple stirring is sufficient to cause thecomposition to become homogenous again.

D-limonene is a compound sourced from the peel of citrus fruits,including, for example, oranges, mandarins, limes, and grapefruit. Inpreferred embodiments of the invention, the D-Limonene is sourced fromcold pressed orange oil.

Preferably, the cold pressed orange oil component contains a D-Limoneneconcentration of preferably at least 80%, and more preferably of atleast 95%. The preferred cold pressed orange oil is sold, for example,under the brands Home & Garden® or Medina®.

The Castor Oil is sold under the brands Alkamuls® EL-620 brandemulsifier, UpNature®, or Essential Depot®. One skilled in the art canappreciate that the castor oil can be organic.

The preferred modified acrylic emulsion copolymer is sold, for example,under the brands Gellner Industrial, Golden Artist Colors®, andHolbein®. Preferably, the dipropylene glycol methyl ether is sold, forexample, under the brands Quality Chemical™, TCI America, DOW ChemicalCompany. Preferably, the polysiloxane polymer is sold, for example,under the brands Golden Artist Colors®, Holbein®, Haisun®. The aminesolution is sold, for example, by Amine Solutions Inc., Grainger Inc.,Salt-X®.

In one embodiment, the composition includes approximately 26% by weightof D-Limonene, approximately 5% by weight of Alkamuls® EL620,approximately 14% by weight of water; approximately 45% by weight ofmodified acrylic emulsion copolymer, approximately 5% by weight ofdipropylene glycol methyl ether, approximately 2% by weight ofpolysiloxane polymer; and approximately 3% by weight of amine solution.The modified acrylic emulsion copolymer, dipropylene glycol methylether, polysiloxane, amine solution and water are mixed first, thenAlkamuls® El 620, water, and D-Limonene are mixed. The compositionscombine without complications and stay homogeneous over time.

In such exemplary embodiment, the D-Limonene can be sourced from coldpressed orange oil, sold, for example, under the brands Home & Garden®,Medina®, Blubonic Industries®, FDC™, Citra Blast™, Mean Tangerine™. TheAlkamuls® EL620 emulsifier is sold for example, under the DeWolfChemical™ and Solvay® brands of castor oil ethoxylate (30). The modifiedacrylic emulsion copolymer is sold, for example, under theMakingCosmetics®, Golden Artist Colors®, Shalimar Chemical Works, Ltd.brands. The dipropylene glycol methyl ether is sold, for example, underthe DOW Chemicals, Quality Chemical™, TCI Chemicals brands. Thepolysiloxane polymer is sold, for example, under the EcoAdvance™,Rainguard™, Foundation Armor® brands. The amine solution is sold, forexample, under the ChemWorld™ and Aminovation Lab® brands.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the compositionincludes approximately 20% by weight of D-Limonene, approximately 7% byweight of emulsifier (Alkamuls® EL620 brand emulsifier), approximately15% by weight of water, approximately 50% by weight of modified acrylicemulsion copolymer, approximately 3% by weight of dipropylene glycolmethyl ether, approximately 2% by weight of polysiloxane polymer; andapproximately 3% by weight of amine solution.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the compositionincludes approximately 15% by weight of D-Limonene, approximately 5% byweight of Alkamuls® EL620 brand emulsifier, approximately 20% by weightof water, approximately 55% by weight of modified acrylic emulsioncopolymer, approximately 2% by weight of dipropylene glycol methylether, approximately 1% by weight of polysiloxane polymer, andapproximately 2% by weight of amine solution.

In such exemplary embodiments of the invention, Home & Garden® ColdPressed orange oil, made by Green Gobbler™ is mixed with Safecoat® waterbased acrylic lacquer.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention a composition forpreserving wood is presented. In such embodiments of the presentinvention, the composition includes mixing cold pressed orange oilcomprised of at least 80% D-Limonene with commercially availableexisting wood preservatives, wherein the composition can be mixed in aratio from 1%-99% by weight of cold pressed orange oil comprised of atleast 80% D-Limonene and a ratio from 99%-1% by weight of commerciallyavailable existing wood preservative, respectfully. Examples of suchcommercially available existing wood preservatives are Safecoat® brandSafecoat® Acrylacq Gloss™ preservative, MINWAX® brand Polycrylicprotective finish clear gloss preservative, Eco Wood Treatment® brandnatural mineral-based wood preservative, TallEarth™ brand Eco-safe woodtreatment non-toxic stain and preservative, EcoAdvance™ brand exteriorwood silixane waterproofer preservative. The composition furtherincludes the following combinations, with each subsequent combinationbeing more preferable than the prior: In one embodiment, the compositionincludes a ratio of 5% by weight of cold pressed orange oil comprised ofat least 80% D-Limonene to 95% by weight of commercially availableexisting wood preservative. In yet another embodiment, the compositionincludes a ratio of 10% by weight of cold pressed orange oil comprisedof at least 80% D-Limonene to 90% by weight of commercially availableexisting wood preservative. In another embodiment, the compositionincludes a ratio of 15% by weight of cold pressed orange oil comprisedof at least 80% D-Limonene to 85% by weight of commercially availableexisting wood preservative. In yet another embodiment, the compositionincludes a ratio of 20% by weight of cold pressed orange oil comprisedof at least 80% D-Limonene to 80% by weight of commercially availableexisting wood preservative preservative. In a most preferred embodiment,the composition includes a ratio of 25% by weight of cold pressed orangeoil comprised of at least 80% D-Limonene to 75% by weight ofcommercially available existing wood preservative.

Also, in all embodiments of the present invention mentioned above, onecould add another ingredient (for example, in place of a like amount,from 65%-99% by weight of the previous embodiments of the presentinvention and from 1%-35% by weight of commercially available pure BoricAcid, respectfully.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the composition includes 30%by weight of pure Boric Acid and 70% by weight of previous embodiments.In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compositionincludes 20% by weight of pure Boric Acid and 80% by weight of previousembodiments. In another embodiment of the present invention, thecomposition includes 25% by weight of pure Boric Acid and 75% by weightof previous embodiments. In yet another embodiment, the compositionincludes 15% by weight of pure Boric Acid and 85% by weight of previousembodiments. In another embodiment, the composition includes 10% byweight of pure Boric Acid and 90% by weight of previous embodiments. Inone embodiment, the composition includes 5% by weight pure Boric Acidand 95% by weight of previous embodiments. In yet another embodiment,the composition includes 2% by weight of pure Boric Acid and 98% byweight of previous embodiments. Boric acid is available under thefollowing brand: Ecoxall.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention a termiticidecomposition is presented. In such embodiments of the present invention,the temicide composition includes approximately 25% by weight ofD-Limonene, approximately 12% by weight of Boric Acid (pure boric acidmanufactured by FDC™), approximately 5% by weight of emulsifier(Alkamuls® EL620), approximately 10% by weight of water, approximately40% by weight of modified acrylic emulsion copolymer, approximately 5%by weight of dipropylene glycol methyl ether, approximately 1% by weightof polysiloxane polymer, and approximately 2% by weight of aminesolution.

In one embodiment, the termiticide composition includes approximately20% by weight of D-Limonene, approximately 15% by weight of Boric Acid,approximately 5% by weight of emulsifier (Alkamuls® EL620),approximately 5% by weight of water, approximately 50% by weight ofmodified acrylic emulsion copolymer, approximately 2% by weight ofdipropylene glycol methyl ether, approximately 1% by weight ofpolysiloxane polymer, and approximately 2% by weight of amine solution.

In another embodiment, the termiticide composition includesapproximately 15% by weight of D-Limonene, approximately 10% by weightof Boric Acid, approximately 3% by weight of emulsifier (Alkamuls®EL620), approximately 10% by weight of water, approximately 52% byweight of modified acrylic emulsion copolymer, approximately 7% byweight of dipropylene glycol methyl ether, approximately 1% by weight ofpolysiloxane polymer, and approximately 2% by weight of amine solution.

In yet another embodiment, the termiticide composition includesapproximately 10% by weight of D-Limonene, approximately 10% by weightof Boric Acid, approximately 3% by weight of emulsifier (Alkamuls®EL620), approximately 10% by weight of water, approximately 55% byweight of modified acrylic emulsion copolymer, approximately 7% byweight of dipropylene glycol methyl ether, approximately 2% by weight ofpolysiloxane polymer, and approximately 3% by weight of amine solution.

To evidence the unexpectedly improved nature of the results obtainedusing embodiments of the claimed invention, the foregoing tests wereperformed. The following examples are intended to exemplify the claimedinvention, and not to limit the claimed invention in any manner.

Example 1 Objective

To demonstrate the effectiveness of a termicidal composition inaccordance with embodiments disclosed herein, an experiment wasconducted to evaluate treated cellulose material for its resistance tosubterranean termites the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA)Standard E1-13 was implemented. In the experiment, single choice testsand two choice tests were performed simultaneously. The experimenttested wood treated with one embodiment of the claimed invention againstFormosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus, as the targetedinsect. The experiment was conducted utilizing the embodiment of theinvention containing the insect repelling composition which includesapproximately 25% by weight cold pressed orange oil component having aD-Limonene concentration of at least 80%, and approximately 75% byweight acrylic lacquer component, with the acrylic lacquer componentcomprising approximately 45% by weight modified acrylic emulsioncopolymer, at least 40% by weight water, at least 5% by weightdipropylene glycol methyl ether, at least less than 5% by weightpolysiloxane polymer, and at least less than 5% by weight aminesolution. Five replications were made for each of the followingtreatments:

Treatment 1: Single choice test—Untreated controls.

Treatment 2: Single choice test—Wood blocks with one (1) coat oftreatment applied.

Treatment 3: Single choice test—Wood block with two (2) coats oftreatment applied.

Treatment 4: Two choice test—Control and wood blocks with two (2) coatsof treatment applied.

Treatment 5: No wood blocks—Termites only to evaluate the overall healthof the termites.

Methods

The wood specimens to be tested are allowed to air dry for one week andare then weighed. Sterilized glass jars are filled with 150 g of sandand 30 ml of distilled water. The sterilized glass jars are allowed tostand for two hours. For the single choice tests, a solitary test blockis placed on the sand surface. For the two choice test, two differenttypes of wood blocks, a treated wood block and a control wood block, areplaced on opposite sides of the jar. A piece of aluminum foil is placedunder each treated wood block to prevent leaching of the embodiment ofthe present invention into the sand.

Termites were collected from the field from the West End neighborhood inthe city of New Orleans, La. The average weight of the collectedtermites were measured, as illustrated in Table 1 below. Four hundredtermites, consisting of 380 worker termites and 20 soldier termites,were placed inside each test jar. These jars were maintained at 28° C.and 80% relative humidity (RH) for four weeks.

TABLE 1 Average Weight of Termites Collected Locally From West End Usedin This Study Project D'Amico NOMTCB Entomology Lab January 2019 Date:Collected by: Recorded by: Guidry Assisted by: Bal- WPG TermiteCollection Jan. 4, 2019 Guidry ance: 202 Species FST Coptotermes YReticulitermes flavipes N Con- Sunny Page: 3 Collected: formosanus di-of 3 * tions Termites Collec- Group 1* Group 2* Group 3* Group 4* Group5* Average Source Source Collection Collection tion Weight Weight WeightWeight Weight Weight ID Location Date Time By # (g) # (g) # (g) # (g) #(g) (g) West Jan. 4, 1:00 Guildry 100 0.312 100 0.308 100 0.311 1000.313 100 0.312 0.311 End 2019 PM *Group of 100+ termites, record numberof termites and total weight

Each jar is weighed weekly to ensure moisture level is maintained. Atthe end of the four weeks, test jars are disassembled.

Each block is removed, cleaned with a brush, and allowed to air drybefore weighing, as shown in Table 2 below.

The number of live termite workers and soldiers are determined for eachtest jar, as shown in Table 3 below.

Each test block was visually rated using the rating system defined inthe AWPA E1 Standard below:

AWPA E1 Standard Visual Rating System of Each Test Block Cross SectionAffected Grade # Description of Condition (%) 10 Sound (No BiologicalDeterioration) N/A 9.5 Trace surface nibbles N/A 9 Slight attack ≤3 8Moderate attack  3-10 7 Moderate/severe attack, penetration 10-30 6Severe attack 30-50 4 Very severe attack 50-75 0 Failure

Results

The following Table 2 illustrates the weights of test blocks before andafter being exposed to Formosan subterranean termites.

TABLE 2 Weights of Test Blocks Before and After Being Exposed toFormosan Subterranean Termites SOP 440 Project #: D'Amico NOMTCBEntomology Lab December 2018 Form A Start Date Jan. 7, 2019 Measured by:Guidry Recorded Caliper: Oven: Termite by: Blocks End Date: Feb. 4, 2019Measured by: Guidry Recorded Caliper: Oven: by: Specimen Dimensions (mm)Weight (g) Replicate Specimen Wood Visual Type No. No. Species SubstrateLength Width Thickness Initial Final Rating Control 1 C1 pine sand 38.438.3 4.7 2.755 1.902 4 Control 2 C2 pine sand 38.2 38.1 5.0 3.202 2.2307 Control 3 C3 pine sand 38.2 38.1 4.7 2.942 1.940 6 Control 4 C4 pinesand 38.2 38.1 5.2 3.462 2.528 7 Control 5 C5 pine sand 38.2 38.1 4.62.956 2.120 7 One Coat 6 1-1 pine sand 38.6 38.7 6.0 4.546 4.019 8 OneCoat 7 1-2 pine sand 38.6 38.8 6.7 4.780 4.280 8 One Coat 8 1-3 pinesand 38.6 38.5 6.5 4.724 4.367 8 One Coat 9 1-4 pine sand 38.6 38.5 4.12.989 2.697 8 One Coat 10 1-5 pine sand 39.1 38.9 4.6 3.514 3.112 8 Two11 2-1 pine sand 39.2 38.8 6.3 4.772 4.408 8 Coats Two 12 2-2 pine sand39.1 38.9 5.3 4.632 4.292 9 Coats Two 13 2-3 pine sand 38.9 39.3 5.94.601 4.263 9 Coats Two 14 2-4 pine sand 38.9 38.8 5.9 4.855 4.527 9Coats Two 15 2-5 pine sand 38.8 38.6 7.0 5.891 5.611 9.5 Coats Two 162-6 pine sand 39.1 38.9 5.3 4.634 4.497 10 coats (choice test) Control16 C6 pine sand 38.3 38.3 4.9 3.139 2.501 8 (choice test) Two 17 2-7pine sand 39.2 38.5 5.2 4.296 4.179 10 coats (choice test) Control 17 C7pine sand 38.5 38.2 4.7 3.244 2.579 7 (choice test) Two 18 2-8 pine sand39.1 38.0 5.4 4.863 4.711 10 coats (choice test) Control 18 C8 pine sand38.3 38.2 4.5 2.588 1.980 7 (choice test) Two 19 2-9 pine sand 39.7 38.75.1 4.223 4.097 10 coats (choice test) Control 19 C9 pine sand 38.4 38.34.3 2.802 2.129 7 (choice test) Two 20 2-10 pine sand 38.4 38.6 6.84.414 4.305 10 coats (choice test) Control 20 C10 pine samd 38.4 38.25.0 3.149 2.562 7 (choice test)

For the single choice tests, the average weight consumed of the control,untreated, wood was 0.919 g, while that of the wood treated with onecoat of the composition was 0.416 g and the wood treated with two coatsof the composition was 0.330 g. Testing revealed that there was astatistically significant difference in the amount of untreated woodconsumed and the amount of treated wood consumed (P=0.005). However,there was not a significant difference in wood consumption between thewood blocks treated with one coat and the wood blocks treated with twocoats of the composition.

FIG. 1 illustrates a photograph of the control, untreated wood blocksamples after the experiment, wherein the termites consumed on average30.114% of the wood blocks, by weight. As seen in FIG. 2, whichillustrates a photograph of the wood samples treated with one coat ofthe composition, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, afterthe experiment, wherein the termites consumed on average 10.164% of thewood blocks, by weight. As seen in FIG. 3, which illustrates aphotograph of the wood samples treated with two coats of thecomposition, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, after theexperiment, wherein the termites consumed on average 6.764% of the woodblocks, by weight.

The experiment revealed that there was a significant difference betweenwood consumption (P=0.008) for the two choice test. Termites consumedsignificantly more of the untreated wood blocks than the wood blockstreated with two coats of the composition. As seen in FIG. 4, whichillustrates a photograph of the two choice control, untreated wood blocksamples and treated wood block samples with two coats of thecomposition, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, after theexperiment, wherein the termites consumed on average 21.392% of theuntreated wood blocks, by weight, and consumed on average 2.852% of thetwo coat treated wood blocks.

Table 3 illustrates the test jar weights taken throughout the study andthe numbers of live termites in each jar at the beginning of the studyand at the end of the study.

TABLE 3 Test Jar Weights Throughout Study and Numbers of Live Termitesat the Beginning and End of the Study NOMTCB Entomology Project #:D'Amico Lab JANUARY 2019 SOP 440 Form B Assembly Time: No Choice TestChoice Assembled by: Guidry Recorded by: Guidry Termite Test Date: Jan.7, 2019 Test Assemblies Environmental T (° C.): 28 % RH: Balance: Hygro-Data Chamber: 80 meter: Logger: Container Size: Measured by: TestAssemblies Weight (g) Final Live Termite Container Initial Termite CountInitial Jan. 14, Jan. 22, Jan. 28, Count No. Block No(s). Worker SoldierTotal Sand Assembly 2019 2019 2019 Feb. 4, 2019 Worker Soldier Total 1380 20 400 150 402.7 402.2 401.4 401.1 400.6 332 19 351 2 380 20 400 150406.8 406.5 405.8 405.4 404.9 333 17 350 3 380 20 400 150 407.1 406.7406.1 405.8 405.3 340 19 359 4 380 20 400 150 406.0 405.3 403.9 403.3402.5 340 16 356 5 380 20 400 150 406.0 405.6 405.0 404.5 404.0 329 16345 6 380 20 400 150 408.6 408.2 407.6 407.3 406.9 254 20 274 7 380 20400 150 409.3 408.9 407.9 407.4 406.6 251 17 268 8 380 20 400 150 408.9408.4 407.2 406.7 405.8 188 20 208 9 380 20 400 150 407.8 407.7 407.1407.0 406.6 247 20 267 10 380 20 400 150 408.1 407.8 407.0 406.7 406.0230 18 248 11 380 20 400 150 410.0 409.7 408.7 408.4 408.0 183 15 198 12380 20 400 150 410.0 409.6 408.6 408.2 407.6 216 13 229 13 380 20 400150 408.6 408.3 407.3 406.9 406.4 178 11 189 14 380 20 400 150 409.0408.8 408.1 407.8 407.3 171 14 185 15 380 20 400 150 410.4 410.1 409.3408.9 408.3 165 6 171 16 380 20 400 150 410.7 410.4 409.4 409.0 408.3264 14 278 17 380 20 400 150 411.4 411.1 410.3 409.9 409.4 280 19 299 18380 20 400 150 411.7 411.5 410.6 410.3 409.6 276 12 288 19 380 20 400150 410.6 410.3 409.1 408.6 407.8 297 20 317 20 380 20 400 150 411.0410.7 409.8 409.4 408.9 296 19 315 21 380 20 400 150 405.6 338 19 357 22380 20 400 150 404.6 329 17 346 23 380 20 400 1540 403.7 343 15 358 24380 20 400 150 404.3 362 18 380 25 380 20 400 150 403.0 318 17 355

Based on jar weights, the experiment revealed that the test jars did notlose enough moisture during this study to warrant the addition of anymore water.

The experiment revealed that there was a significant difference intermite mortality among treatments (P<0.001). Analysis of variance(ANOVA) was performed following a Tukey Test to rank treatments, asillustrated in Table 4, which utilized pairwise multiple comparisonsbetween treatments. The treatments tested in this experiment which areranked with the same letter showed no significant differences in termitemortality.

TABLE 4 Average Average Mortality Treatment Mortality Percentage RankingControl (no treatment) 47.8 11.95% A Termites only (no wood, after 44.811.20% A one week) One coat of treatment 147.0 36.75% B Two coats oftreatment 205.6  51.4% C Choice test 100.6 25.15% D

This experiment indicated that the compositions disclosed herein, inaccordance with embodiments of the invention, are highly effective atrepelling termites from wood treated with such disclosed compositions,and the disclosed compositions significantly increased the averagemortality rates of the exposed populations of termites in comparison tountreated wood samples. The single choice wood blocks treated with twocoats of the composition resulted in termites only consuming on average6.764% of the wood blocks and killed approximately 51.4% of thetermites. The single choice wood blocks treated with one coat of thecomposition resulted in termites only consuming on average 10.164% ofthe wood blocks and killed approximately 36.75% of the termites. Incomparison, the single choice untreated, control wood blocks resulted intermites consuming 30.114% of the wood blocks and only 11.95% of thetermites died. Under the two choice test, approximately 25.15% of thetermites died and while the termites consumed on average 21.392% of theuntreated, control wood blocks, only 2.852% of the two coat treated woodblocks were consumed.

Example 2 Objective

To further evaluate the effectiveness of termiticidal compositionsdisclosed herein in accordance with embodiments of the invention, anadditional experiment was conducted to evaluate treated cellulosematerial for its resistance to subterranean termites and to compareconventional termiticide to the compositions, in accordance withembodiments of the invention. The American Wood Protection Association(AWPA) Standard E1-13 was implemented. In the experiment, single choicetests and two choice tests were performed simultaneously. The experimenttested wood samples treated with four different compositions, of whichthree of the compositions were provided in accordance with embodimentsof the invention disclosed herein, and the fourth composition was theconventional BORA-CARE® termiticide composition produced by NisusCorporation. The tested wood samples were treated with a Treatment Y, aTreatment X, a Treatment B, and a Treatment BC, for use against Formosansubterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus, as the targeted insect.

The experiment was conducted utilizing the following treatments:

Treatment Y includes soaking the wood block in pure cold pressed orangeoil, containing at least 80% D-Limonene, until the wood is completelysaturated, then allowing the wood to dry and then coating the wood witha composition, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.The composition included approximately 25% by weight cold pressed orangeoil component having a D-Limonene concentration of at least 80%, andapproximately 75% by weight acrylic lacquer component, with the acryliclacquer component comprising approximately 45% by weight modifiedacrylic emulsion copolymer, at least 40% by weight water, at least 5% byweight dipropylene glycol methyl ether, at least less than 5% by weightpolysiloxane polymer, and at least less than 5% by weight aminesolution.

Treatment X, includes coating the wood with a composition, in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, which includes approximately25% by weight cold pressed orange oil component having a D-Limoneneconcentration of at least 95%, and approximately 75% by weight acryliclacquer component, with the acrylic lacquer component comprisingapproximately 45% by weight modified acrylic emulsion copolymer, atleast 40% by weight water, at least 5% by weight dipropylene glycolmethyl ether, at least less than 5% by weight polysiloxane polymer, andat least less than 5% by weight amine solution.

Treatment B, includes coating the wood with a mixture of Treatment X andapproximately 25%, by weight pure boric acid (in power form).

Treatment BC, includes coating the wood with the conventionaltermiticide BORA-CARE®.

Five replications were made for each of the following treatments:

Treatment 1: Single choice test—Untreated controls.

Treatment 2: Single choice test—Wood blocks with Treatment Y applied.

Treatment 3: Single choice test—Wood block with Treatment B applied.

Treatment 4: Single choice test—Wood block with Treatment BC applied.

Treatment 5: Single choice test—Wood block with Treatment X applied.

Treatment 6: Two choice test—Wood block with Treatment BC applied andWood block with Treatment X applied.

Treatment 7: No wood blocks—Termites only to evaluate the overall healthof the termites.

Methods

The wood specimens to be tested are allowed to air dry for at least oneweek and are then weighed. Sterilized glass jars are filled with 150 gof sand and 30 ml of distilled water. The sterilized glass jars areallowed to stand for two hours. For the single choice tests, a solitarytest block is placed on the sand surface. For the two choice test, twodifferent types of wood blocks, a wood block treated with Treatment BCand a wood block treated with Treatment X, are placed on opposite sidesof the jar. A piece of aluminum foil is placed under each treated woodblock to prevent leaching of the embodiments of the present inventioninto the sand.

Termites were collected from the field from the Elysian neighborhood inthe city of New Orleans, La. The average weight of the collectedtermites were measured, as illustrated in Table 1 below. Four hundredtermites, consisting of 360 worker termites and 40 soldier termites,were placed inside each test jar. These jars were maintained at 28° C.and 80% relative humidity (RH) for four weeks.

TABLE 1 Average Weight of Termites Collected Locally From West End Usedin This Study Project D'Amico NOMTCB Entomology Lab July 2019 SOP 440Form C Date: Collected by: Recorded by: Guidry Assisted by: Bal- WPGTermite Collection Jul. 17, 2019 Guidry ance: 202 Species FSTCoptotermes Y Reticulitermes flavipes N Con- Sunny Page: 3 Collected:formosanus di- of 3 tions Termites Source Group 1* Group 2* Group 3*Group 4* Group 5* Average Source Loca- Collection Collection CollectedWeight Weight Weight Weight Weight Weight ID tion Date Time By # (g) #(g) # (g) # (g) # (g) (g) Elysian Jul. 16, 2:00 Guildry 100 0.314 1000.300 100 0.287 100 0.282 100 0.289 0.294 2019 PM *Group of 100+termites, record number of termites and total weight

Each jar is weighed weekly to ensure moisture level is maintained. Atthe end of the four weeks, test jars are disassembled. Each block isremoved, cleaned with a brush, and allowed to air dry before weighing,as shown in Table 2 below.

The number of live termite workers and soldiers are determined for eachtest jar, as shown in Table 4 below.

Each test block was visually rated using the rating system defined inthe AWPA E1 Standard below:

AWPA E1 Standard Visual Rating System of Each Test Block Cross SectionAffected Grade # Description of Condition (%) 10 Sound (No BiologicalDeterioration) N/A 9.5 Trace surface nibbles N/A 9 Slight attack ≤3 8Moderate attack  3-10 7 Moderate/severe attack, penetration 10-30 6Severe attack 30-50 4 Very severe attack 50-75 0 Failure

Results

The following Table 2 illustrates the weights of test blocks before andafter being exposed to Formosan subterranean termites.

TABLE 2 Weights of Test Blocks Before and After Being Exposed toFormosan Subterranean Termites SOP 440 Project #: D'Amico NOMTCBEntomology Lab December 2018 Form A Start Date Jul. 17, 2019 Measuredby: Cottone Recorded Balance: WPG Caliper: XXY Oven: WPG Termite by: 202204 Blocks Guidry End Date: Aug. 27, 2019 Measured by: Guidry RecordedBalance: WPG Caliper: XXY Oven: WPG by: 202 204 Guidry Specimen Weight(g) Type Replicate No. Specimen No. Wood Species Substrate Initial FinalVisual Rating Single Choice Tests Control 1 1 pine sand 1.613 0.783 4Control 2 2 pine sand 1.342 0.556 4 Control 3 3 pine sand 1.601 0.792 0Control 4 4 pine sand 1.868 0.859 0 Control 5 5 pine sand 1.775 1.036 0Y 1 6 pine sand 6.370 6.064 9.5 Y 2 7 pine sand 6.725 6.417 9.5 Y 3 8pine sand 6.400 6.075 10 Y 4 9 pine sand 6.154 5.833 10 Y 5 10 pine sand6.887 6.602 10 B 1 11 pine sand 4.907 4.692 10 B 2 12 pine sand 5.0874.871 10 B 3 13 pine sand 5.572 5.395 10 B 4 14 pine sand 5.645 5.436 10B 5 15 pine sand 5.672 5.487 10 BC 1 15 pine sand 6.901 5.539 10 BC 2 17pine sand 7.780 5.578 10 BC 3 18 pine sand 5.126 3.954 10 BC 4 19 pinesand 6.833 5.382 10 BC 5 20 pine sand 7.424 6.129 10 X 1 21 pine sand6.227 5.765 8 X 2 22 pine sand 6.156 5.864 9.5 X 3 23 pine sand 5.4055.080 9.5 X 4 24 pine sand 5.590 5.136 7 X 5 25 pine samd 4.671 4.4259.5 Two Choice Test BC 1 26 pine samd 6.529 4.568 10 BC 2 27 pine samd5.253 4.015 10 BC 3 28 pine samd 5.915 4.273 10 BC 4 29 pine samd 7.0315.480 10 BC 5 30 pine samd 6.048 6.359 10 X 1 31 pine samd 5.093 4.90610 X 2 32 pine samd 5.301 5.098 10 X 3 33 pine samd 5.322 5.145 10 X 434 pine samd 5.793 5.642 10 X 5 35 pine samd 5.280 5.128 10

For the single choice tests, the average weight consumed of the control,untreated, wood was 0.835 g, while that of the wood treated withTreatment Y of the composition was 0.309 g, the wood treated withTreatment B of the composition was 0.200 g, the wood treated withTreatment BC of the composition was 1.496 g, and the wood treated withTreatment X of the composition was 0.356 g. Testing revealed that therewas a statistically significant difference in the amount of untreatedwood consumed and the amount of treated wood consumed (P<0.001).

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed following a Tukey Test torank treatments for the Single choice tests, as illustrated in Table 3below, which utilized pairwise multiple comparisons between treatments.The treatments tested in this experiment which are ranked with the sameletter showed no significant differences in termite mortality.

TABLE 3 Average Average Percentage Treatment Consumption ConsumptionRanking Control (no 0.835 51.24% A treatment) Y 0.309 4.762% B X 0.3566.312% B B 0.200 3.754% B BC 1.496 21.92% C

FIG. 5 illustrates a photograph of the control, untreated wood blocksamples after the experiment, wherein the termites consumed on average51.24% of the wood blocks, by weight. As seen in FIG. 6, whichillustrates a photograph of the wood samples treated with Treatment Y,in accordance with embodiments of the invention, after the experiment,wherein the termites only consumed on average 4.762% of the wood blocks,by weight. As seen in FIG. 7, which illustrates a photograph of the woodsamples treated with Treatment B, in accordance with embodiments of theinvention, after the experiment, wherein the termites only consumed onaverage 3.754% of the wood blocks, by weight. As seen in FIG. 8, whichillustrates a photograph of the wood samples treated with Treatment BCafter the experiment, wherein the termites consumed on average 21.916%of the wood blocks, by weight. As seen in FIG. 9, which illustrates aphotograph of the wood samples treated with Treatment X, in accordancewith embodiments of the invention, after the experiment, wherein thetermites only consumed on average 6.312% of the wood blocks, by weight.

As seen in FIG. 10, which illustrates a photograph of the two choicetests, comparing wood block samples treated with Treatment BC and woodblock samples treated with Treatment X, in accordance with embodimentsof the invention, after the experiment. Therefore, the experimentrevealed that for the two choice tests, there was a significantdifference between wood consumption (t=2.612, df=2, P=0.031). Termitesconsumed significantly more wood treated with Treatment BC than woodtreated with Treatment X.

As seen in Table 3 above, the effectiveness of Treatment BC (consistingof the conventional termiticide BORA-CARE®) at repelling termites andpreventing said termites from consuming the wood blocks is significantlyless effective than treatments utilizing embodiments of the presentinvention.

Table 4 illustrates the test jar weights taken throughout the study andthe numbers of live termites in each jar at the beginning of the studyand at the end of the study.

TABLE 4 Test Jar Weights Throughout Study and Numbers of Live Termitesat the Beginning and End of the Study NOMTCB Entomology Project #:D'Amico Lab JULY 2019 SOP 440 Form B Assembly Time: No Choice TestChoice Assembled by: Guidry Recorded by: Guidry Termite Test Date: 9 AMTest Assemblies Jul. 17, 2019 Environmental WPG T (° C.): 28 % RH:Balance: WPG Hygrometer: WPG Data WPG YYY Chamber: 203 80 202 ZZZLogger: Container Size: 8 oz Measured by: Guidry Weight (g) TestAssemblies Aug. Final Live Termite Container Block Initial Termite CountInitial Jul. 24, Aug. 7, 14, Count No. No(s). Worker Soldier Total SandAssembly 2019 Jul. 31, 2019 2019 2019 Worker Soldier Total 1 1 360 40400 150 404.8 404.2 403.2 402.3 401.7 272 21 293 2 2 360 40 400 150403.4 402.7 401.7 400.6 399.5 263 31 294 3 3 360 40 400 150 405.8 405.1404.1 403.0 402.0 261 25 286 4 4 360 40 400 150 402.1 401.7 400.7 400.2398.9 332 31 363 5 5 360 40 400 150 406.0 405.5 401.3 395.8* 396.9 12111 132 6 6 360 40 400 150 406.4 406.0 405.3 404.6 403.7 0 0 0 7 7 360 40400 150 409.9 409.7 408.9 408.2 407.4 0 0 0 8 8 360 40 400 150 406.7406.1 405.3 404.3 403.4 0 0 0 9 9 360 40 400 150 406.2 405.7 404.8 404.1403.3 0 0 0 10 10 360 40 400 150 411.7 411.3 410.6 409.9 409.2 8 0 8 1111 360 40 400 150 406.2 405.7 404.9 404.1 403.3 0 0 0 12 12 360 40 400150 405.6 405.2 404.3 403.5 402.7 0 0 0 13 13 360 40 400 150 411.2 410.8410.1 409.5 408.9 0 0 0 14 14 360 40 400 150 411.1 410.8 410.1 409.6409.0 0 0 0 15 15 360 40 400 150 406.4 405.6 404.8 403.9 402.7 0 0 0 1616 360 40 400 150 407.6 407.3 406.7 406.0 405.3 0 0 0 17 17 360 40 400150 412.9 412.6 412.1 411.5 410.8 0 0 0 18 18 360 40 400 150 408.2 407.7407.1 406.4 405.8 0 0 0 19 19 360 40 400 150 413.3 412.9 412.3 411.6411.0 0 0 0 20 20 360 40 400 150 408.8 408.6 408.3 408.0 407.7 0 0 0 2121 360 40 400 150 399.6 399.1 398.6 397.9 397.2 99 13 112 22 22 360 40400 150 407.2 406.8 406.1 405.3 404.6 0 0 0 23 23 360 40 400 1540 407.4406.7 405.9 405.2 404.3 29 8 37 24 24 360 40 400 150 412.3 411.5 410.5409.5 408.7 170 19 189 25 25 360 40 400 150 405.9 405.3 404.6 403.8403.0 11 3 14 26 26 27 360 40 400 150 411.6 411.3 410.7 409.9 409.3 0 00 27 28 29 360 40 400 150 410.4 410.2 409.7 409.2 408.7 0 0 0 28 30 31360 40 400 150 412.0 411.7 411.2 410.6 410.2 0 0 0 29 32 33 360 40 400150 413.2 412.9 411.9 411.0 410.3 0 0 0 30 34 35 360 40 400 150 411.8411.8 411.4 410.8 410.3 0 0 0 31 360 40 400 150 402.0 401.4 282 7 289 32360 40 400 150 404.9 404.9 302 7 309 33 360 40 400 150 404.6 404.3 313 2315 34 360 40 400 150 398.9 398.6 299 12 311 35 360 40 400 150 401.4401.0 271 14 285

The experiment revealed that there was a significant difference intermite mortality among treatments (P<0.001). Analysis of variance(ANOVA) was performed following a Tukey Test to rank treatments, asillustrated in Table 5, which utilized pairwise multiple comparisonsbetween treatments. The treatments tested in this experiment which areranked with the same letter showed no significant differences in termitemortality.

TABLE 5 Treatment Average Mortality Percentage (%) Ranking Control (no126.4 31.6% A treatment) Termites only (no 98.2 24.6% A wood, after oneweek) Y 398.4 99.6% B X 329.6 82.4% B B 400  100% B BC 400  100% B

This experiment indicated that the compositions of the present inventionare effective at repelling and killing termites from treated woodsamples. The compositions, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention, are significantly more effective at repelling termites andnearly or just as effective at killing termites as compared toconventional termiticides.

As seen in the data set forth in Example 1 and Example 2 above, theembodiments of the present invention identified herein offer a safe andeffective method for controlling termite infestations. Further, thetreatment processes described herein provide effective use as termiterepellents, termiticides, and wood preservatives. The treatmentprocesses may also be used with effectiveness for protection from otherwood boring insects.

To the extent there may be perceived health or environmental concernswith existing termite repellents, termiticides, and wood preservatives,the ability to replace or reduce the amount of toxic termiticides andtoxic wood preservatives by use of the present invention offersadditional benefits as well. The non-toxic nature of the presentinvention makes embodiments of the invention ideal candidates forpreventing, and treating termite infestations in both household andcommercial settings.

The compositions of the present invention can be utilized on woodensurfaces, preferably unfinished or properly prepared and sandedpreviously finished wooden surfaces. All surfaces should preferably beclean and free from dirt, dust, grease, wax oil, silicone, tsp/soap,mill scale, oxidation, loose peeling paint or varnish, or any foreignmatter/contaminants. The compositions of the present invention should beapplied where there is adequate ventilation.

The compositions of the present invention may cause mild irritation tothe eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Therefore, users are advised touse the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling thecompositions of the present invention.

Referring to the following methods, after wood is treated with one ormore of the compositions disclosed herein in accordance with embodimentsof the invention, the treated wood is preferably dried in an aridenvironment with little to no humidity. One skilled in the art canappreciate that increased levels of humidity would cause an increase inthe amount of time required for the treated wood to completely dry.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided apreferred method of treating wood for use in interior and exteriorsettings with an insect repelling composition. In such embodiment,before applying the insect repelling composition to wood, a user shouldmix the composition thoroughly, preferably by gently stirring thecomposition, or by rolling a container housing said composition, in aneffort to avoid air bubbles. Preferably, the composition should bestirred thoroughly for approximately 20 minutes prior to application.The preferred method comprises applying the insect control compositionto at least one wood surface of a piece of wood by painting thecomposition onto the at least one wood surface, for example, with aquality nylon brush or pad applicator. In such preferred embodiment, theuser uses the brush or pad to apply liberal coats of the composition tothe at least one wood surface, while avoiding over brushing and keepingthe brush or pad saturated with the composition. Preferably, the userapplies a first coat of the composition to the at least one wood surfaceto a point of surface saturation. Then, the method preferably includeswaiting approximately 6-24 hours to allow the composition of the firstcoat to completely dry. Once the composition applied to the at least onewood surface is substantially or completely dry, the user applies asecond coat of the composition to the at least one wood surface to apoint of surface saturation. The method further includes waiting anadditional approximately 6-24 hours to allow the composition of thesecond coat to completely dry.

In one embodiment, the user adds water the composition to achievedesired consistency before applying the first coat.

In another preferred embodiment, there is provided a method of treatinga piece of lumber with a wood preserving insect repelling composition.In one embodiment, for example, a preferred wood preserving insectrepelling composition comprises 25% cold pressed orange oil having aD-Limonene concentration of at least 80% (and more preferably of atleast 90%, and most preferably of at least 95%) and 75% acrylic lacquer.In a preferred embodiment, the acrylic lacquer comprises approximately45% by weight modified acrylic emulsion copolymer, at least 40% byweight water, at least 5% by weight dipropylene glycol methyl ether, atleast less than 5% by weight polysiloxane polymer, and at least lessthan 5% by weight amine solution, The method includes a step of firstdipping the piece of lumber into cold pressed orange oil having aD-Limonene concentration of at least 80% and preferably leaving thepiece of lumber in the cold pressed orange oil for at least 24 hours,until the piece of lumber is completely saturated with the cold pressedorange oil. The preferred method then includes a preferred step ofplacing the piece of lumber in a dryer to dry out the piece of lumber.Once the piece of lumber is substantially or completely dried out, themethod preferably includes a step of applying a first coat of the woodpreserving insect repelling composition to at least one surface of thepiece of lumber to a point of surface saturation by painting said atleast one surface with a brush or pad, applying liberal coats of thecomposition to the at least one surface, while avoiding over brushingand keeping the brush or pad saturated with the composition. Preferably,the piece of lumber is completely dry prior to the step of applying thefirst coat of the composition to treat the piece of lumber. In suchmanner, it is believed that allowing the piece of lumber to completelydry prior to the application of the composition provides improvedpenetration of the composition into cells of the piece of lumber. Postpreferably, the piece of lumber saturated with the cold pressed orangeoil is allowed to dry in a non-humid environment.

In one embodiment, the method includes a step of waiting until the firstcoat is completely dry before applying a second coat of the composition.The method further includes a step of applying the second coat of thewood preserving insect repelling composition to the at least one surfaceof the piece of lumber to a point of surface saturation by painting theat least one surface with the brush or pad, applying liberal coats ofthe composition to the at least one surface, while avoiding overbrushing and keeping the brush or pad saturated with the composition.

In another embodiment, the method further includes a step of waitinguntil the second coat is completely dry before handling the treatedwood.

In yet another embodiment, the wood preserving insect repellingcomposition includes at least 75% commercial wood preservative and atleast 25% cold pressed orange oil having a D-Limonene concentration ofat least 80% (and more preferably of at least 90%, and most preferablyof at least 95%), to cause said composition to bond properly to the atleast one surface of the piece of lumber and to keep in the scent of theD-Limonene active for an extended period of time.

In another embodiment, the user can add water the composition to achievedesired consistency before applying the first coat.

In another preferred embodiment, there is provided a method of treatingwood for use in interior and exterior settings with an insect repellingcomposition. In such embodiment, before applying the insect repellingcomposition to wood, a user should mix the composition thoroughly,preferably by gently stirring the composition, or by rolling a containerhousing said composition, in an effort to avoid air bubbles. Preferably,the composition should be stirred thoroughly for approximately 20minutes prior to application. The preferred method comprises applyingsaid insect control composition to at least one wood surface by sprayingthe composition onto said wood surface with an unheated sprayapplicator. The user applies a first coat of the composition to the atleast one wood surface to a point of surface saturation. The methodincludes waiting approximately 6 to 24 hours to allow the composition ofthe first coat to completely dry. Once the composition applied to the atleast one wood surface is completely dry, the user applies a second coatof the composition to the at least one wood surface to a point ofsurface saturation. The method further includes waiting an additionalapproximately 6 to 24 hours to allow the composition of the second coatto completely dry.

In yet another preferred embodiment, there is provided a method ofpre-treating wood for use in interior and exterior settings with aninsect repelling composition. In such preferred embodiment, beforepre-treating the wood with the composition, a user should mix thecomposition thoroughly by gently stirring or rolling a container housingsaid composition to avoid air bubbles. In such preferred embodiment, themethod includes applying a first coat of the insect repellingcomposition to pretreat a piece of wood by soaking the piece of woodwith said insect repelling composition to a point of wood saturation. Auser pre-treating the piece of wood removes the piece of wood at thepoint of wood saturation from the container housing the composition. Themethod includes allowing the piece of wood at the point of woodsaturation with the composition to dry for approximately 8 to 24 hoursbefore handling the piece of wood.

In one embodiment, the method further includes applying a second coat ofthe insect repelling composition to the piece of wood after the piece ofwood at the point of wood saturation with the composition has dried forapproximately 8-24 hours by soaking said piece of wood in thecomposition to the point of wood saturation and allowing the piece ofwood to dry for an additional approximately 8 to 24 hours beforehandling said piece of wood.

In another embodiment, the user can add water the composition to achievedesired consistency before applying the first coat.

In another preferred embodiment, there is provided a method of treatingwood with an insect repelling composition for use in interior andexterior settings. The method includes a step of first dipping the pieceof wood in cold pressed orange oil, a second step of leaving the pieceof wood in the cold pressed orange oil for approximately 24 hours, athird step of letting the piece of wood dry for approximately 24 hours.Once the piece of wood is dry, the method includes a step of applying afirst coat of the insect repelling composition to the piece of wood to apoint of surface saturation by dipping and soaking the piece of woodwith said insect repelling composition. The method preferably includes astep of waiting at least 24 hours until the first coat is completely drybefore applying a second coat. The method includes a step of applyingthe second coat of the insect repelling composition to the at least onewood surface to a point of surface saturation by dipping and soaking thepiece of wood with said insect repelling composition and a step ofwaiting until the second coat is completely dry before handling thetreated wood.

In one embodiment, an insect repelling composition disclosed hereinincludes at least 70% commercial wood preservative and at least 30% coldpressed orange oil having a D-Limonene concentration of at least 80% tocause said composition to bond properly to the piece of wood and to keepin the scent of the D-Limonene.

In another embodiment, the user can add water to the composition toachieve desired consistency before applying the first coat.

Under normal conditions, the compositions of the present invention dryto the touch in at least one hour and are recoatable after approximately6 to 24 hours. The composition will continue to cure and become harderover time. Normal conditions preferably include a dry surface, access tofresh airflow, moderate humidity, and temperatures around 70 degreesFahrenheit. Thick application, high humidity, or conditions other thannormal will cause these compositions to dry and cure more slowly. It isadvisable to avoid freezing temperatures when applying the compositionsof the present invention.

Except as may be expressly otherwise indicated, the article “a” or “an”if and as used herein is not intended to limit, and should not beconstrued as limiting, the description or a claim to a single element towhich the article refers. Rather, the article “a” or “an” if and as usedherein is intended to cover one or more such elements, unless the textexpressly indicates otherwise.

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature andpressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise.

In the specification and the claims, an “effective amount” of D-Limoneneis an amount that, when applied to a substrate or other material, causessignificant repellence or toxicity, or that decreases the activity orviability of termites as compared to an otherwise identical environmentwithout the added extract.

In the specification and the claims, an “effective amount” of acryliclacquer and cold pressed orange oil, having a D-Limonene concentrationof at least 80%, is an amount that, when applied to a substrate or othermaterial, causes significant repellence or toxicity, or that decreasesthe activity or viability of termites as compared to an otherwiseidentical environment without the added extract.

In the specification and the claims, a “pesticidally-effective amount”of a composition comprising an active ingredient and apesticidally-acceptable carrier, wherein the active ingredient is coldpressed orange oil containing a D-Limonene concentration of at least80%, wherein the pesticidally-acceptable carrier is an acrylic lacquer,is an amount that, when applied to a substrate or other material, causessignificant repellence or toxicity, or that decreases the activity orviability of termites as compared to an otherwise identical environmentwithout the added extract.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only. Thisinvention is susceptible to considerable variation within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

All U.S. patents and publications identified herein are incorporated intheir entirety by reference thereto.

The claimed invention is:
 1. A composition for a protective barrieragainst termite infestation, said barrier composition comprising aneffective amount of acrylic lacquer and cold pressed orange oil, whereinsaid cold pressed orange oil has a D-Limonene concentration of at least80%, and a construction wood, wherein said construction wood withoutsaid acrylic lacquer and cold pressed orange oil composition issusceptible to termite infestation, wherein said composition is free offormaldehyde and wherein the treated construction wood repels or killstermites substantially more than does an otherwise identicalconstruction wood that has not been treated with the compound.
 2. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the cold pressed orange oil has aD-Limonene concentration of at least 90%.
 3. The composition of claim 1,wherein the cold pressed orange oil has a D-Limonene concentration of atleast 95%.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the acrylic lacquercomprises a mixture of a modified acrylic emulsion copolymer component,a dipropylene methyl ether component, a polysiloxane polymer component,an amine solution component, and a water component.
 5. A method forprotecting a material from termite infestation, comprising treating thematerial with a composition comprising an effective amount ofD-Limonene, wherein said composition is free of formaldehyde, whereinsaid material without said treatment is susceptible to termiteinfestation, and wherein the treated material repels or kills termitessubstantially more than does an otherwise identical material that hasnot been treated with the D-Limonene.
 6. A method as in claim 5, whereinthe treated material repels termites.
 7. A method as in claim 5, whereinthe treated material kills termites.
 8. A composition to control insectsconsisting of: 25% by weight of cold pressed orange oil containing aD-Limonene concentration of at least 80%; and 75% by weight of anacrylic lacquer.
 9. An insect control composition comprising: 5%-35% byweight cold pressed orange oil containing a concentration of at least80% D-Limonene; 20%-50% by weight modified acrylic emulsion copolymer;1%-10% by weight dipropylene glycol methyl ether; 1%-5% by weightpolysiloxane polymer; 1%-5% by weight amine solution; and 20%-60% byweight water.
 10. The insect control composition of claim 9, wherein thecold pressed orange oil comprises a D-Limonene concentration of at least90%.
 11. The insect control composition of claim 9, wherein the coldpressed orange oil comprises a D-Limonene concentration of at least 95%.12. The insect control composition of claim 9, further comprising atleast one food grade preservative in a range of approximately 0.1%-1% byweight.
 13. The insect control composition of claim 12, wherein the atleast one food grade preservative is sodium benzoate.
 14. The insectcontrol composition of claim 9, further comprising pure boric acid inpowder form in a range of 1%-30% by weight.
 15. The insect controlcomposition of claim 9, further comprising pure boric acid powder in arange of 1%-30% by weight, wherein said composition containing said pureboric acid has a lower viscosity than said composition without pureboric acid powder.
 16. The insect control composition of claim 9,further comprising pure boric acid in liquid form in a range of 1%-30%by weight.
 17. An insect control composition comprising: 5%-30% byweight of D-Limonene; 1%-20% by weight cold pressed castor oil as anon-toxic emulsifying agent; 20%-50% by weight modified acrylic emulsioncopolymer; 1%-10% by weight dipropylene glycol methyl ether; 1%-5% byweight polysiloxane polymer; 1%-5% by weight amine solution; and 20%-60%by weight water.
 18. The insect control composition of claim 17, furthercomprising at least one food grade preservative in a range ofapproximately 0.1%-1% by weight.
 19. The insect control composition ofclaim 17, further comprising pure boric acid in a range of 1%-30% byweight.
 20. A termite repellent wood preservative lacquer comprising:20%-35% by weight of cold pressed orange oil containing a D-Limoneneconcentration of at least 80%; 5%-15% by weight of water; 45%-55% byweight of modified acrylic emulsion copolymer; 3%-9% by weight ofdipropylene glycol methyl ether; 1%-5% by weight of polysiloxanepolymer; and 2%-8% by weight of amine solution.
 21. The termiterepellent wood preservative lacquer of claim 20, further comprising:0.5%-2% by weight of terpene hydrocarbons, and 0.5%-1% by weight ofoxygenated terpenes.
 22. The termite repellent wood preservative lacquerof claim 20, wherein the cold pressed orange oil comprises a D-Limoneneconcentration of at least 90%.
 23. The termite repellent woodpreservative lacquer of claim 20, wherein the cold pressed orange oilcomprises a D-Limonene concentration of at least 95%.
 24. The termiterepellent wood preservative lacquer of claim 20, further comprising pureboric acid in a range of 1%-30% by weight.
 25. A termite resistant woodpreservative composition for treating lumber products to control insectsconsisting of: 25% by weight of cold pressed orange oil having aconcentration of at least 80% D-Limonene; and 75% by weight of anacrylic lacquer.
 26. The termite resistant wood preservative compositionof claim 25, wherein the 25% by weight cold pressed orange oil containsa D-Limonene concentration of at least 90%.
 27. The termite resistantwood preservative composition of claim 25, wherein the 25% by weightcold pressed orange oil contains a D-Limonene concentration of at least95%.
 28. A method for repelling and killing termites, which comprises:applying to a wooden material where control of termites is desired, apesticidally-effective amount of a composition comprising an activeingredient and a pesticidally-acceptable carrier, wherein the activeingredient is cold pressed orange oil containing a D-Limoneneconcentration of at least 80%, wherein the pesticidally-acceptablecarrier is an acrylic lacquer.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein thecold pressed orange oil contains a D-Limonene concentration of at least90%.
 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the cold pressed orange oilcontains a D-Limonene concentration of at least 95%.
 31. A method forprotecting cellulosic materials from termite infestation comprising astep of applying to the cellulosic material a solution comprising aneffective amount of cold pressed orange oil containing a D-Limoneneconcentration of at least 80%.
 32. The method of claim 31, furthercomprising: a step of drying the cellulosic material in a dryer adaptedfor lumber; and a step of applying to the cellulosic material acomposition comprising approximately 25% by weight a cold pressed orangeoil component having a concentration of at least 80% D-Limonene, andsaid composition comprising approximately 75% by weight an acryliclacquer component, said acrylic lacquer component comprisingapproximately 45% by weight modified acrylic emulsion copolymer, atleast 40% by weight water, at least 5% by weight dipropylene glycolmethyl ether, at least less than 5% by weight polysiloxane polymer, andat least less than 5% by weight amine solution.
 33. The method of claim31, in which the solution is applied to the cellulosic material byspraying.
 34. The method of claim 31, wherein the solution is applied bydipping the cellulosic material into the solution.
 35. The method ofclaim 31, in which the solution is applied to the cellulosic material bya pressure treatment process.
 36. The method of claim 31, wherein thecellulosic material is selected from the group consisting of greenlumber, dried lumber, and pressure treated lumber.
 37. The method ofclaim 31, wherein said cellulosic products further define cellulosicproducts selected from the group consisting of green lumber, driedlumber, pressure treated lumber, seeds, grains, legumes, fruits,vegetables, and plants.
 38. The method of claim 31, wherein saidcellulosic material is wood and said process further includes applyingan additional wood preservative.
 39. The method of claim 31, whereinsaid cellulosic material is wood and said process further includesapplying an additional wood preservative selected from the groupconsisting of ACQ, Borates, Copper azole, Copper naphthenate, Copper-HDO(Bis-(Ncyclohexyldiazeniumdioxy-copper)) and Polymeric betaine.